Vermont submits resolution calling for amendment to eliminate corporate personhood

On Friday, Vermont state senator Virginia Lyons presented resolution in the Vermont legislature calling for a constitutional amendment to eliminate corporate personhood. Sources say it has a good chance of passing, with 11 out of 30 state senators co-sponsoring so far.

The resolution's language points out the pressing need to curb the political influence of corporations, noting that "the profits and institutional survival of large corporations are often in direct conflict with the essential needs and rights of human beings." In pursuit of profit, corporations "have used their so-called rights to successfully seek the judicial reversal of democratically enacted laws.” This "intolerable societal reality" means that the "only way" toward a solution is the amendment of the Constitution "to define persons as human beings.”

David Cobb, who is a spokesperson for Move to Amend, helped write the resolution and has been most recently speaking in Vermont about the history of personhood--corporate and other--and the need for a constitutional amendment eliminating corporate personhood and the notion that money is speech. You can watch his interview with "Near and Far" host Richard Kemp below.

You can read more about the Vermont resolution here.